Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

Arizona Public Service Co. officials helped unveil large new solar arrays at Arizona State University on Monday and used the occassion to emphasize the importance of solar to the utility despite recent dustups over the technology.

APS is providing performance-based incentives that will cover as much as 40 percent of the $3 million expense of the systems, or $1.2 million, if they produce electricity as expected during the next 20 years. The funding from APS comes from a tariff on customer bills.

The event coincided with the Solar Electric Power Association releasing annual rankings of utilities' solar use, with APS ranking No. 3 nationwide last year in the total amount of solar added to its grid and No. 4 for the amount of solar added per customer. Arizona ranked the No. 2 state nationwide behind California for the most solar installed.

"Solar energy is an important part of our long-term generation plans," said Michelle Gettinger, a community relations manager for APS.

The two large shade structures unveiled Monday add to ASU's already extensive collection of solar equipment. The structures have been producing power since last year.

The two new "PowerParasols" provide shade during the day and support lights that brighten the campus at night. They were designed by Strategic Solar Energy of Chandler and DeBartoloand architects and were built by Hardison Downey Construction using solar panels from JA Solar.

APS has been entangled in a debate over the value of rooftop solar for the past year, and faced protests and national criticism for the company's efforts to alter the way owners of rooftop solar receive credit for the power they produce. The debates have mostly involved residential solar, not large commercial projects like those at ASU.

"In spite of a lot of news you hear, they are supportive of solar," said Bob Boscamp, president of Strategic Solar during the ASU event.

APS has phased out most of its incentives for solar in the past year, but the PowerParasol projects were being built last year at a time when the company still would purchase the renewable-energy credits from solar.

By purchasing the renewable-energy credits from the arrays, APS helps meet the requirement that 15 percent of its electricity come from renewable sources by 2025.

Unlike most of the nearly 25 megawatts of solar that ASU uses at its various campuses, the university owns the two new PowerParasols. ASU usually leases its solar panels or enters a deal to buy the power from the solar arrays, but not own them.

As a public university, ASU is unable to use the 30 percent federal tax credit that has helped make all forms of solar electricity more affordable.

In this case, the university simply wanted to own the structures, officials said.

"The economics of these structures are so powerful you can afford them without the 30 percent tax credit," said Tom Headley, CEO of Strategic Solar.

The PowerParasols were more costly than the average commercial installation because they were built with aestetics in mind, not maximum power production.

The patchwork of solar panels sit 25 feet high on concrete and glass towers that ligh up at night in a colorful display. The panels were arranged to allow enough filtered sunlight through to grow plants in the space below, Boscamp said.

ASU is also looking at advertising opportunities for the PowerParasols, particularly the previous structure built over an ASU parking lot.

ASU wanted to own the arrays because they were more than just a power plant, said Morgan Olsen, ASU chief financial officer.

"We needed something that had a high degree of aesthetic attractiveness," Olsen said. "This is a campus feature that has multiple uses."